ACD urges FMC to finalize maritime transportation data system recommendations

Today, the Alliance for Chemical Distribution (ACD) led a group of more than 20 shippers and trade associations in a letter to call on the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to finalize and implement the Maritime Transportation Data System (MTDS) through a formal rulemaking process.

The letter highlighted the critical need for the MTDS, which would enhance the transparency and efficiency of ocean shipping by addressing longstanding inefficiencies and inconsistencies in container transportation.

“First, the recommendations call for sharing real-time position information, long-term schedules, and details of a vessel’s intermediate port calls. This information would allow shippers to better prepare trucking, warehousing, and stocking needs in advance. This is crucial as stockpiling of product and rushed trucking and warehousing accommodations when there is little capacity have both played roles in increasing cargo congestion and prices to ship cargo.”

The letter continued, “In total, the adoption of the MTDS recommendations will make ocean shipping more transparent and efficient. This will increase freight fluidity and reduce unnecessary costs, allowing the ocean shipping supply chain to be more resilient and better serve American shippers and consumers. Considering the extreme fluctuations in transit time, congestion, and ocean shipping rates over the past four years, a system such as the MTDS is desperately needed.”

The signatories concluded, “We are concerned that there has not been any indication from the Commission that it is moving towards finalizing the MTDS recommendations, with the last Request for Information having been published over six months ago. We urge the FMC to publish a rule proposal implementing the MTDS recommendations as soon as possible.”